Seek Truth, Not Emotional Comfort

“This is not a daycare; it is a University.” Dr. Everett Piper, President of OKWU

A student came forward to complain because he felt “victimized” by a sermon on the topic of 1 Corinthians 13 at OKWU recently. It seems he felt bad because he became convicted for not showing love. In his view the speaker was wrong for making him, and his peers, feel uncomfortable.

Dr. Everett Piper says, “Our culture has actually taught our kids to be this self-absorbed and narcissistic. Any time their feelings are hurt, they are the victims. Anyone who dares challenge them and, thus, makes them “feel bad” about themselves is a “hater,” a “bigot,” an “oppressor,” and a “victimizer.” (Taken from Dr. Piper’s blog – link at the end)

Now, not all of our younger generation act this way, but many I know do. They’ve been indoctrinated with a “victim” mentality, where emotions are elevated above the truth. I see the same thing happening in society these days, and it has been a weapon the progressive left has used for decades, ever since Saul Alinsky’s book “Rules for Radicals” brought “pushing the negative” and “ridicule is man’s most potent weapon” as rules for political organization. His book was created for organizers for the “Have-Nots” to successfully win their arguments of entitlement, and in turn has created a generation of finger-pointers and “victims.”

If you value “feeling good” or “being right” over truth, you will value a false narrative as long as it gets you what you want. It is just a “means to an end.” This is being seen as this tendency is overtaking our journalists, who are seeking truth less and less and pushing an ideology more and more. Journalism has given way to activism, and this has created an even more perverted view of what truth actually is.

Just read through the “rules” that Alinsky pushes:

“Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.

“Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.

“Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.

“Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.

“Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

“A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.

“A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.

“Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.

“The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.

“The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.

“If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.

“The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.

“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.

For those that continually avoid seeking truth, refuse to recognize and accept their own convictions for what it truly is, and continue to elevate emotions above what is right, the left will be a place for them to feel included and comfortable, and thus will be their party of choice.

I was much more liberal when I was young. It was only when I was challenged, both by mentors and by life itself, that I opened my eyes to the truth. As Winston Churchill once said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” It’s just easier to believe what you hear than to test the theories.

It’s also been said, “If You Are Not a Liberal at 25, You Have No Heart. If You Are Not a Conservative at 35 You Have No Brain.” Now, I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say that you aren’t seeking truth and testing the theories yet.

Many also see a “Responsible” view as a selfish view. That anyone who has (the opposite of their definition of “Have-Not”) wont give to those in need without the Government’s help. This is also an excuse to remain in a victim and entitlement mentality, and further “feel good” about pushing the agenda of wealth redistribution and socialism. The truth is that in 2013, the top 1 percent of taxpayers accounted for more income taxes paid than the bottom 90 percent combined. And in 2015, bottom 45 percent actually paid nothing on average in taxes. But don’t let those truths sway the false narrative of the top earning Americans needing to “pay their fair share!”

As we move into Trump’s Inauguration and we see people boycotting the service, and also questioning the legitimacy of his Presidency, remind yourself that he won a democratically held election. This in itself completely legitimizes his relevance, his presidency, and his office. No “finger-pointer” or “pusher of negative” can change that – so don’t let them get the best of you.